Description

Enigmatic and arresting, The Existentialist is an exquisite example of Condo’s skill as a puppeteer of the human psyche. Straddling the line between the familiar and the uncanny, the grotesque and the beautiful, Condo’s visually and psychologically rich pictorial creations have solidified him as one of the most inventive artists of his generation.

George Condo emerged onto the 1980s art scene in New York alongside the seminal figures of contemporary painting, such as Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Similar to the two young pioneers, Condo was critically engaged with creating and developing a new form of figurative painting, one that merged the representational and the abstract. Since the beginning of his career, Condo has pioneered a hybrid-topography of the human figure that allows his to explore the tenets of psychology and philosophy.

The Existentialist introduces a nuanced approach for Condo, one that lends a deeper, philosophical reading of his art. As the title suggests, this is a distinctly introspective portrait, a reflection on existence. The host of characters in Condo’s oeuvre span the comedic to the hyper-sexual, yet the figure in the present work is particularly mysterious. Delicate brushstrokes blur the face, the figure is seemingly caught in a transitory moment, yet the contemplative gaze permeates through the haze. Furthermore, Condo’s idiosyncratic use of negative space is particularly key to the present work. Dark, brooding backgrounds dominate the majority of Condo’s portraits. Removing his characters from any sense of reality, he creates a void for his psychological explorations. Fusing traditions of art history with the anxieties of contemporary society, George Condo proves he is an artist of all-encompassing measure.

RAPPORT D'ETAT

140

George Condo

Colour:
The catalogue illustration is accurate, although the overall tonality is slightly lighter in the original.
Condition:
Unexamined out of its frame. This work is in very good condition. No restoration apparent when examined under the ultraviolet light."In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."